SE409946B - AIR CONDITIONING GEL - Google Patents

Description

7503230-0 F 'materials, or oils, which give a pleasant odor and / or reduce unpleasant odors.

According to U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,055, an air conditioning gel is prepared by using as a gelling agent a preparation of carrageenan, locust bean gum and potassium chloride together with sodium carboxymethylcellulose. According to this patent, the components of the gelling agent are included in the following proportions, calculated on the weight of the whole composition: 0.75 - 1.8% carrageenan, 0.2 - 0.75% locust bean flour, 0.1 - 0.75% potassium chloride and 0.15 - 0.7% sodium carboxymethylcellulose. According to U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,055, the air conditioning gel is prepared by mixing the components of the gelling agent in the dry state, adding these mixed components to cold water and heating the components to 82 DEG-880 DEG C. with stirring until all solids are completely dispersed. The aqueous dispersion is then allowed to cool to 770 DEG C. and the premixed air conditioning components are added with stirring until a uniform dispersion is obtained, after which the dispersion is transferred to a forming device and cooled to prepare the shaped gel.

According to Canadian Pat. No. 895,825, the air conditioning gel can be prepared with gelling agents comprising mixtures of specific carrageenan fractions, namely kappa and iota caragenane. The Canadian patent specifically relates to the use of a gelling agent composition in air conditioning gels comprising kappa and iota fractions of carrageenan, in which the weight ratio of the respective components is between about 1.5: 1 and about 7: 1. so that calcium and / or potassium ions in the form of chlorides can be added to gelling compositions. This arbitrary addition of calcium or potassium ions to the gelling agent is particularly useful when the gelling agent contains high concentrations of kappa carrageenan. The air conditioning gels obtained in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,055 and Canadian Pat. No. 895,825 have been found to possess undesirable gel syneresis, i.e., the aqueous medium separates from the gel due to gel concentration and / or insufficient water gel strength. It has now been found that the gelsyneresis problems associated with the gelling agent compositions of U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,055 and Canadian Pat. No. 895,825 can be eliminated with an improved gelling agent composition of the invention. It was unexpectedly found that the three-component gelling agent composition of the invention when used in the manufacture of air conditioning gels provides an air conditioning gel which exhibits negligible syneresis and improved water gel strength.

The invention thus relates to an improved air conditioning gel consisting essentially of about 1.5 ~ 4% by weight of a new gelling agent and 96-98.5% by weight of an aqueous medium containing a volatile air conditioning component. The novel gelling agent comprises: a carrageenan containing up to at least 00% by weight of kappa caragenane in an amount of about 0.6 - 2.0% by weight, locust bean gum in an amount of about 0.2 - 1.0% by weight. % and a water-soluble ammonium salt with a pH exceeding about 5.0 in an amount of about 0.05 - 1.0% by weight, where the percentages are calculated in% by weight of the entire air conditioning gel. In the following description and example part, all parts and percentages refer to the weight of the entire air conditioning gel unless otherwise stated.

The novel gelling agent of the invention can be used in the preparation of air conditioning gels which exhibit negligible syneresis and improved water gel strength.

According to the invention there is provided a novel gelling agent comprising carrageenan, locust bean gum and a water soluble ammonium salt having a pH in excess of about 5.0. The term "carrageenan" is used herein to denote a sulfated polysaccharide containing up to at least M0% by weight of kappa carrageenan and the remainder mainly lambda carrageenan. The carrageenan used according to the invention may be derived from a class of Seagrass known as Rhodophyceae (red algae), the subclass Florideae and the order Gigartinales. Carrageenan may in particular be derived from species within the families Gigartinaxeae, Solieriaceae and Hypneaceae, Furcellariaceae and combinations thereof Carrageenan may more specifically be derived from the genera Gigartina, Chondrus, Eucheuma, Hypnea, Furcellaria and combinations thereof. In particular, the carrageenan used according to the invention may be derived from extracts of Gigartina stellata, Chondrus orispus, Chondrus ocellatus, Eucheuma cottonii, Hypnea musciformis, Furoellaria fastigiata and combinations thereof.

Most preferably, the carrageenan used according to the invention is derived from Chondrus crispus (Irish moss), Furcellaria fastigiata and Hypnea musciformis.

The sulphated polysaccharides used according to the invention are well known products and are described in the following publications: "Polysaccharide Gels" by Reese, D.A., Chemistry and Industry, vol 19, p. 650 (1972).

Lerring, T., Hoppe, H.A., Schmid, O.J., Marine Algae, p. 542, Gram, DeGruyter & Co. (1969).

The carrageenan used according to the invention can be recovered from dried seaweed by first washing the dried seaweed with water, extracting the washed seaweed at alkaline pH, removing the residue by filtration, drying the extract and grinding the dried carrageenan extract. Any commercially available carrageenan containing at least 40% by weight of kappa carrageenan obtained from the above-mentioned genera and species can be used in the gelling agent of the invention.

The locust bean gum used in the invention is readily available and generally contains about 88% D-galacto-D-mannoglycan, 4% pentane, 6% protein, l ß cellulose and 1% ash.

Locust bean gum is also known internationally under flora other names, such as carob gum, gum gatto, gum hevo, jandagum, lakoe gum, Rubigum, Lupogum, Luposol, gum Tragon, Tragarab and Tragasol.

Locust bean meal can be chemically characterized as a neutral polyaccharide containing mainly D-galacto-D-mannoglycan.

By water-soluble ammonium salt having a pH exceeding about 0, is meant to denote ammonium salts, such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate, ammonium phosphate (dibasic), ammonium chloride, mixtures thereof and the like. Preferably, in the composition according to the invention, the ammonium salt is selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulphate, ammonium acetate, ammonium phosphate (dibasic), ammonium chloride or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, ammonium chloride 7503230-0 is chosen as ammonium chloride.

The ammonium chloride is usually added to the gelling agent composition in dried form. Any commercially available ammonium chloride, for example of technical quality or of reagent quality, can be used in the new gelling composition according to the invention. According to the invention, the novel gelling agent comprises carrageenan, which at least HO% by weight consists of kappa carrageenan, in an amount of about 0.6 - 2.0% by weight, locust bean gum in an amount of about 0.2%. 1.0% by weight and a water-soluble ammonium salt having a pH in excess of about 5.0 in an amount of about 0.05 - 1.0% by weight. Preferably, the gelling agent according to the invention comprises carrageenan containing up to at least H0% by weight of kappa caragenane in an amount of about 1.0 - 1.8% by weight, locust bean gum in an amount of 0.1 - 0.8% by weight and a water-soluble ammonium salt with a pH exceeding about 5.0 in an amount of about 0.5 - 1.0% by weight. Most preferably, the gelling agent according to the invention comprises about 1.5% by weight of carrageenan, which to at least 40% by weight consists of kappa-carrageenan, about 0.6% by weight of locust bean gum and about 0.75% by weight of ammonium chloride.

The above amounts of the components of the novel gelling agent of the invention have been found necessary to give air conditioning gels which exhibit negligible syneresis, improved water viscosity and water gel strength. The stated amount ranges for the components of the gelling agent composition can, however, be varied within the ranges to obtain air conditioning gels which exhibit different degrees of water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis, which may be desirable for different contexts.

When preparing air conditioning gels, the new gelling agent according to the invention comprises about 1.5 - H% by weight of the entire air conditioning gel, while the aqueous medium containing an air treatment component comprises the remaining 96 - 98.5% by weight. The air treatment components comprise about 2 to 10% by weight of the aqueous medium.

By "air treatment component" is meant perfumes, bactericides, essential oils, fungicides or other desirable air treatment components or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the air treatment component is a volatile material at room temperature, compatible with other components of the air treatment gel and dispersible in water. Oils to counteract bad air can be used, such as rose oil, glue oil, oil of pine, lemon oil, mint oil, oil of evergreens, oil of cedar, canada balm, etc. The above-mentioned oils can also be used in combination with fragrant agents such as aromatic esters, aldehydes, ketones and other well known fragrance compounds.

The aqueous agent in the air conditioning gel may additionally contain solvents which provide increased solubility in the oils and fragrances used in the aqueous agent. The solvents may be present in the aqueous medium in the air conditioning gel in an amount of about 2-6% by weight.

The solvents may be, for example, ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, cellosolv or the like.

The aqueous agent in the air conditioning gel may also contain bactericides or fungicides to counteract bacterial or fungal growth in the air conditioning gel. The bactericides or fungicides may be present in the aqueous medium in the air conditioning gel in an amount of about 0.001 to 0.0 .mu.l by weight. The bactericide or fungicide may be, for example, sodium benzoate, methyl, butyl or propyl parahydroxybenzoate, mixtures thereof and the like.

The aqueous agent in the air conditioning gel may also contain water-soluble or oil-soluble dyes, which impart color to the air-conditioning gel. The water-soluble or oil-soluble inks may be present in the aqueous medium in the air conditioning gel in an amount of up to about 0.05%.

Examples of suitable water-soluble or oil-soluble dyes are Rose Bengal, Uramine, Rhodamine and the like.

In addition, the aqueous agent in the air conditioning gel may contain emulsifiers of known type. The emulsifiers may be anionic type, such as alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfates, or nonionic type, such as polyethoxyl ethers, sorbitan esters or polyethoxylates of sorbitan esters.

The air conditioning ring according to the invention can be conveniently prepared in the following manner. The gelling agent components, i.e. 7503230-0 carrageenan, locust bean gum and ammonium chloride are mixed, the dry, mixed gelling components are dispersed in water with a temperature below about 52 ° 0 with stirring, the dispersed gelling agent is heated to a temperature between about 66 and about 880 ° C. until the dispersed gelling agent is completely dissolved, the aqueous solution of the gelling agent is cooled to a temperature between about 57 and about 660 ° C, an air treating agent was added to the cool solution of gelling agent while stirring to obtain a uniform mixture of air conditioning components. cool to a temperature below about 580 ° C to effect gel formation and obtain an air conditioning gel. Preferably, the dispersed gelling agent is heated to a temperature of about 82 ° C with stirring until the solids have completely dissolved. Preferably, the uniform mixture of air conditioning gel is also poured into a suitable container or mold to obtain a gel of the desired shape.

The new gelling agent according to the invention is further illustrated in the following examples, where all parts and percentages refer to the weight unless otherwise stated.

Example 1 The air treatment gel can be prepared with the new gelling agent composition according to the invention in the following manner. 500 g of air treatment gel were prepared by first dry mixing 7.5 g of carrageenan, 5.0 g of locust bean gum of commercial grade and 5.75 g of reagent grade ammonium chloride. The carrageenan mainly comprised kappa caragenane, namely 70 - 80% kappa caragenane and - 30% lambda caragenane. The carrageenan used in this example was obtained from Stauffer Chemical Company as an extract of Chondrus cirspus (Irish Moss). The dry mixed gelling agent was then dispersed in about 440 g of water with stirring. The dispersed gelling agent was then heated to a temperature of about 82 ° C with stirring until the dispersed solid had dissolved. The gelling agent solution was then allowed to cool to about 660 ° C. The weight of the gelling agent solution was set at 460 g by adding water. To the gelling agent solution was added at a temperature of about 660 DEG C. 40 g of air treating agent comprising 6.6 g of lemon oil, 5.5 g of glue, 20 g of isopropyl alcohol, 10 g of ethylene glycol and 0.1 g of uramine dye. The air treatment agent was then mixed into a uniform air conditioning dispersion. The air conditioning dispersion was then poured into crystallization trays 7.0 cm in diameter and 5.0 cm deep. The air conditioning dispersion was then allowed to cool to room temperature to an air conditioning gel.

Syneresis of the air conditioning gel was determined as follows: a crystallization dish containing the air conditioning gel was covered with paraffin paper and stored in an incubator at a constant temperature of 50 ° C. After overnight incubation, the air conditioning gel was removed from the incubator and allowed to equilibrate at room temperature. The paraffin paper was then removed from the air conditioning gel and the gel was carefully transferred to a pre-weighed paper towel. The air conditioning gel then rotated on the paper towel so that it could absorb excess liquid from the gel. The weight of the air conditioning gel and the weight of the paper towel were then determined. The percentage syneresis was expressed as the amount of liquid absorbed by the paper towel divided by the total weight of the gel multiplied by 100.

The air conditioning gel of Example 1 was found to exhibit a syneresis of less than 0.3%, determined as above. Visually, the air conditioning gel showed no visible syneresis.

Air conditioning gels having less than 0.5% syneresis determined as above therefore show negligible syneresis, i.e. no free-flowing liquid can be observed.

The water viscosity of the air conditioning dispersion was determined as follows. The water viscosity of the air conditioning dispersion was determined at 620 DEG C. with a Brookfield viscometer, model LVT, using a spindle and a suitable rotational speed. The water viscosity of the air conditioning dispersion was 100 cP determined as above.

The water gel strength of the air conditioning gel was determined in a gel tester model GT-5 from Marine Colloids Inc. The gel tester was used with a flat head flask with a diameter of 1.09 cm. A diet scale was placed directly under the flask and used to determine the impact force required for the flask to penetrate the gel material being measured. After evaluating syneresis, the air conditioning gel was placed in a crystallization dish. The water gel strength was determined by placing the crystallization dish containing the air conditioning gel on top of the scale. The scale was then reset and the flat head flask was lowered to the surface of the gel material. The flask was continuously pressed into the gel until a maximum force required to break down the gel surface was noted. The weight given on the scale required to break down the gel surface of the sample in Example 1 was 710 g.

The composition of the air conditioning gel prepared according to Example 1 is given in the following Table I. The results of the evaluation of the air conditioning gel regarding water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis are shown in the following Table VI.

Table I Air Conditioning Gel - Example No. 1 Percent (by weight Ingredients of Final Gel) Gelling agent: Carrageenan 1.5 Locust bean gum 0.6 Ammonium chloride 0.75 Air treatment components:, Lemon oil 1.53 Lime oil 0.67 Isopropyl alcohol 4.0 Ethylene glycol 2 Uramine dye 0.02 Aqueous medium: Water 89.13 Example 2 This example shows a control sample of an air conditioning gel prepared in accordance with Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,927,055. The air conditioning gel was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 1 above. The composition of the air conditioning gel is shown in Table II.

~ Table II ¶ Air conditioning gel (control) Percent (by weight Ingredients on final gel) Gelatin: Carrageenan J 1.5 J0hannesbröakärnm¿ö1 É 8 0.25 Potassium chloride 2 0.5 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 0.25 Air treatment components: Rose oil - 5.0 Isopropyl alcohol 4.0 Ethylene glycol '82.0 Water - soluble chlorophyll 0.1 Aqueous medium: -Water 8 88.40 The water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis were determined as given in Example 1. The results of the evaluation of the air conditioning gel on water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis are shown in Table VI.

Example Gel An air conditioning gel was prepared in accordance with Example 1 of Canadian Patent 895,825. The air conditioning gel was prepared in the manner described in Example 1 above. The composition of the air conditioning gel is given below in Table III. 8 '---- - - -------- _-____...__ .. ___. _ 7503230-0 ll Table III Air conditioning gel ¥ Ingredients Pšåcšïïtšâš šåïšen Gelatin: Karagenan kappa 2, 55 iota 0.67 Air treatment components: Gitron oil _ 2.31 Lime oil I 1.00 Ethylene glycol 4.0 Sodium chlorophyllin 0.5 Emulgylin 0.5 Emulg Atlas Chemical Company) 1.88 Sodium benzoate 0.1 Aqueous medium: Water 87.21 The air conditioning gel prepared according to Example 5 was tested for water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis according to the procedure set forth in Example 1.

The results of the survey are shown in Table VI.

Example Gel 4 An air conditioning gel was prepared having the composition set forth in Example 2 of Canadian Patent 895,825.

The preparation procedure for the air conditioning gel was that given in Example 1 above. The composition of the air conditioning gel is given in Table IV. 7503230-o 12 9 Table IV Air conditioning gel. Percent (by weight Ingredients on final gel) Gelatin: Carrageenan I kappa i ¿I 2,0 iom - '_ i 0,5 Calcium chloride 0,75 Air treatment components: Rose oil 2,0 Ethylohoi ii', o Rose Bengal dye '0, Emulsifier (Tween 20, Atlas Chemical Company) '1.0 Sodium benzoate 0.1 Aqueous medium: Water a 90.55 The air conditioning gel described above was tested for water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis and the results of this test are given in Table VI below. .

Examples - 9 In Examples 5 - 9, the air conditioning gel was prepared according to the procedure set forth in Example 1. The composition of the gelling agents was varied as given in Table V. The air conditioning gels prepared according to Examples 5 to 9 were examined for water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis as given in Example 1. The results of these evaluations are given in Table VI. .

Examples 10 and 11 In Example 10, an air conditioning gel was prepared with carrageenan obtained from Chordrus crispus containing about 80% kappa carrageenan of all caragenane. The composition of the air conditioning gel is given in Table V. The method of preparing the air conditioning gel in this example was the same as in Example 1 above. 7503230-0 In Example 11, an air conditioning gel was prepared with a polysaccharide extract from Hypnea musoiformis corresponding to carrageenan. The composition of the air conditioning gel prepared with this particular gelling agent combination is set forth in Table V. The preparation procedure for the air conditioning gel in this example was the same as in Example 1.

The products obtained in Example 10 and 11l were examined for water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis in the same manner as in Example 1. The results of these evaluations are shown in Table VI. I 7503230-0 14 4 1: 1. || 1li m fl anow fl omßa mw fl mhm Qmnw dmüwwmnmm .m w flämwnmw Hmmcwm mmom .N mw fi o fl owom .a WNLÛW = _. =: mßøO ® «O MßMTH HH wmñßæ = ._ __ _. mß-O Q-O ßmfm OH mwwlmw _. :: ._ H.O W-O O-N O wmóm _. __ _ __ __ m6 _ wá wd w wmów .__ ._ __ _. 3.6 Que må ß 91mm __ ._ ._ ._ md m6 ïm w wmaww Nmoö _ ad o ... Høá QÅ o; OJ m ...__ wß sw% m @% mwww fl nmunømo fi aoxwmn flfl ønmmmnpmsá fl m fi oamwn fl n fi mw |% mNm.> H fl wømmm. 7503230-0 Table VI Properties of air conditioning gels Example Water viscosity Water gel strength Syneresis (GP) (grams) (percent) l llOÛ 7lÛ 0.20 2 260 690 0.6? 477 85 0127 4 105 87 0.44 2552 - 705 0.17 6 214 45§ '0.21 7 2064 697 0.21 599 517 I C954 9 2§O8 690 Û, §4 728 727 0.16 54? It appears from Table VI that with respect to Examples 1 to 4, the air conditioning gels prepared with the novel gelling agent composition of the invention exhibit improved physical properties by lowering the level of syneresis. 0.5%, the water bond strength is above 400 g and the water viscosity is below 2,700 cP. In contrast, it is also apparent from Table VI, Example 2, that air conditioning gels prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. 0.67%. From Table VI, Example 5, which represents an air conditioning gel prepared in accordance with Example 1 of Canadian Patent 895,825, in which an air conditioning gel is prepared with a gelling agent comprising kappa carrageenan and iota caragenane, it can be seen that the water gel strength of the air conditioning gel was unfavorable, namely only 88 g. As far as the water gel strength is concerned, it has been found that air conditioning gels with water gel strengths lower than about 400 g are less desirable because the gal is not able to retain its original shape.

It is further apparent from Table VI, Example 4, which represents an air conditioning gel formulated according to Example 2 of Canadian Patent 895,825, in which a gelling agent comprising capa-carrageenan, iota-caragenane and calcium chloride is used, that the air-conditioning gel exhibits undesirable water gel strength, namely 87.

Table VI, Examples 5 to 9, shows that air conditioning gels can be prepared with the new gelling agent composition according to the invention, ie carrageenan, locust bean gum and ammonium chloride. The syneresis, water gel strength and water viscosity as shown in Table VI are well within the desired limits for these parameters.

From Table VI, Examples 10 and 11, it can be seen that air conditioning gels exhibiting desirable water viscosity, water gel strength and syneresis properties can be prepared with gelling agents containing mainly kappa carrageenan according to Example 10 and a polysaccharide extract of Hypnea musciformis.

Claims (8)

vsoszsoë 17 Patentkrav An air conditioning gel consisting essentially of about 1.5 - 4% by weight of a gelling agent and about 96 - 98.5% by weight of an aqueous medium containing non-volatile air conditioning component, characterized in that it contains a gelling agent comprising (a) a carrageenan consisting of at least 40% by weight of kappa caragenane, present in a concentration of about 0.6 - 2.0%, (b) locust bean gum in a concentration of about 0.2 - 1.0% by weight and (c) a water-soluble ammonium salt having a pH higher than about 5.0, which salt is present in an amount of about 0.05 to 1.0 weight percent, the percentages being based on the weight of the air conditioning gel. Air conditioning gel according to claim 1, characterized in that the gelling agent comprises in (a) a carrageenan, which is at least 40% by weight of kappa caragenane, which is present in a concentration of about 1.0 - 1.8% by weight, ( b) locust bean gum in a concentration of about 0.4 - 0.8% by weight and (c) a water-soluble ammonium salt with a pH exceeding about 5.0, which is present in a concentration of about 0.5 - 1.0% by weight - percent. ' Air conditioning gel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water-soluble ammonium salt is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate, ammonium acetate, ammonium phosphate (dibasic) or mixtures thereof. An air conditioning gel according to claims 1-5, characterized in that it consists of about 2.5 - 5.0% by weight of the gelling agent and about 97 - 97.5% by weight of the aqueous medium containing the volatile air conditioning component. Air conditioning gel according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrageenan, which consists of at least 40% by weight of the kappa caragenane, consists of Rhodophyceae extracts of the genus selected from the group consisting of Gigartina, Chondrus, Eueheuma, Hypnea, Furcel laria and combinations thereof. ' Air conditioning gel according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the carrageenan, which is at least 40% by weight of the kappa caragenane, is an extract of Rhodophyceae from species selected from the group _ vsozzso-o * É m É -> consisting of Gigartina stellata, Ghondrus crispus, Chondrus ocellatus, Eucheuma cottonii, Hypnea musciformis, Furoellaria fastigiata and combinations thereof. 7. An air conditioning gel according to claims 4-6, characterized in that the gelling agent comprises (a) carrageenan, which to at least 40% by weight consists of capa-caragenane, which is present in a concentration of about 1.5% by weight. percent, (b) locust bean gum in a concentration of about 0.6% by weight and ll. (C) ammonium chloride in a concentration of about 5% by weight. Air conditioning gel according to Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carrageenan, amounting to at least 40% by weight of the kappa caragenane, consists of extracts of Rhodophyceae, the subclass Florideae, the order Gigartinales and the families selected from the group consisting of Gigartinaoeae, Solypiaceae, Hypneaiaceae, , Furcellariaceae and combinations thereof. MENTIONED PUBLICATIONS: